Tsain-ko Group of Companies taps Jason Jenkins as CEO

For Immediate Release December 29, 2022
Sechelt, British Columbia

Success & Succession: Tsain-ko Group of Companies taps Jason Jenkins as CEO, starting January 1, 2023. 
Seamless Senior Management transition shows tsain-ko Development Corporation’s (TKDC) strategic investments in employee development and retention paying off.

After overseeing a four-year hyper-growth period for tsain-ko Group of Companies, CEO Debbie Hendsbee will step down in January 2023, leaving behind a legacy of stability, expansion, and profitable operations. Under Debbie’s steady hand, TKDC experienced enormous change, acquiring Swanson’s Ready-Mix Concrete, building a haul trucking company and acquiring the contract for the Lehigh mine, initiating multiple land holdings and real estate projects, reinventing the Nations forestry operations, and most importantly, building expertise and capacity into the organization to meet the Nation’s succession goals. Debbie will continue on in a consulting role for the forestry division. Chair of the Board Warren Paull offered some of his greatest praise for Debbie as she transitions from the CEO role:

“We have been honoured to benefit from the vision and integrity of Debbie Hendsbee over the past 4 years, leading our corporate business team through the most rapid growth period in tsain-ko’s history, with over 60% Nation-member representation on a team that has grown from 5 staff to over 60. We thank Debbie for all that she has done for tsain-ko and the Nation.”

Jason Jenkins, hired in 2017 as an Economic Development Officer for TKDC, has succeeded in delivering every mandate the Nation has put before him. From the dramatic expansion of tsain-ko Centre, to multiple and ongoing real estate development projects, highlighted by Our House of Clans, a shíshálh Nation and BC Housing partnership project to create affordable housing for Nation families and Elders, Jason’s contribution to TKDC has been inestimable. As an Economic Development Officer and Director of Projects, Jason was instrumental in generating over $14 MM in grant funding for Nation and tsain-ko projects. Jason steps into the role January 1 with big shoes to fill.

“Nation Council and Senior Management are thrilled that our investments in recruiting, developing and retaining the highest quality individuals to lead our economic development opportunities and build value for Nation members continue to pay dividends. Jason has taken every step and met every challenge we have put before him, and we are fortunate to have his dedication and commitment to continue our growth and success,” said Chairman Paull.

Tsain-ko Development Corporation (TKDC) is the parent company of the shíshálh Nation’s economic development arm and is comprised of a number of corporations and limited partnerships involved in carrying out its four primary economic functions: Natural Resources, Land Development/Commercial Properties, Industrial, Capacity Building and Advisory Services.